Polls for women seats in UZs

The Election Commission (EC) has initiated the process to hold polls for seats reserved for women in Upazila (UZ) Parishads after overcoming complications. These seats are filled up through indirect polls. The commission discussed the issue in its Monday meeting, officials said. Arrangement for the elections will be made after taking the upcoming Ramadan into consideration. The EC suggested polls on 100 UZs in the first phase. Local Government (Upazila Parishad 1998) Act states that women members for reserved seats of UZ will be elected from among women councillors of Union Parishad (UP) and municipalities. Women members from reserved seats of UP and municipalities will elect members of UZ from among themselves. The number of members will be one-third of the total reserved seats of the UP and municipalities. The EC issued two letters to local government ministry last year to organise delimitation to elect members for reserved women seats of UZ. The ministry finalised delimitation to elect women members in 127 Upazila Parishads, according to bdnews24.com.